Objective To investigate the effects of autologous blood transfusion and allogeneic blood transfusion on postoperative complications and outcome of patients underwent craniotomy with traumatic brain injury.Methods All transfusional cases underwent emergency craniotomy with trau-matic brain injury from January,2012 to June,201 6,1 61 males and 38 females,ASA physical statusⅠ-Ⅳ,were respectively analyzed and divided into autologous blood group (n = 108)and allogeneic blood group (n =91)based on whether or not using cell salvage.The restrictive transfusion strategy was applied in the two groups and the red blood cells were infused to maintain the hemoglobin concen-tration at 70-100 g/L.The incidence of postoperative complications and adverse transfusion reaction were analyzed and the clinical outcome was judged by Glasgow outcome score (GOS).Results The incidence of postoperative complications (33% vs.56%,P <0.01 )and adverse transfusion reaction (5% vs.14%,P <0.05)of the autologous blood group were lower than that in the allogeneic blood group,and the clinical outcome was better (P <0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that allo-genetic transfusion (OR =1.953,95%CI 1.381-2.529)was an independent risk factor of postopera-tive complications.Conclusion The use of autologous blood transfusion in patients with traumatic brain injury can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and the risk of blood transfusion and improve clinical outcome.